US2459227A - Underground reservoir for the storage of liquefied gases - Google Patents

Underground reservoir for the storage of liquefied gases Download PDF

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US2459227A
US2459227A US688761A US68876146A US2459227A US 2459227 A US2459227 A US 2459227A US 688761 A US688761 A US 688761A US 68876146 A US68876146 A US 68876146A US 2459227 A US2459227 A US 2459227A
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storage zone
storage
conduit
reservoir
water
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US688761A
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Arthur N Kerr
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Phillips Petroleum Co
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Phillips Petroleum Co
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
    • F17C3/005—Underground or underwater containers or vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0604—Liners
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0639—Steels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0678—Concrete
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/068—Special properties of materials for vessel walls
    • F17C2203/0682—Special properties of materials for vessel walls with liquid or gas layer
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0379—Manholes or access openings for human beings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0388—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters
    • F17C2205/0391—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters inside the pressure vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/035—Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0135—Pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0171—Arrangement
    • F17C2227/0178—Arrangement in the vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
    • F17C2250/0605—Parameters
    • F17C2250/0636—Flow or movement of content
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
    • F17C2260/015—Facilitating maintenance
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0144—Type of cavity
    • F17C2270/0149—Type of cavity by digging cavities
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0157—Location of cavity
    • F17C2270/0163—Location of cavity offshore
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/402—Distribution systems involving geographic features
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/8593—Systems
    • Y10T137/86348—Tank with internally extending flow guide, pipe or conduit
    • Y10T137/86372—Inlet internally extending
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/8593—Systems
    • Y10T137/86381—Head-establishing standpipe or expansion chamber [e.g., surge tanks]

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the storage of hydrocarbons.
  • this invention relates to the storage of hydrocarbons as liquids under a substantial ⁇ y superatmospheric pressure.
  • the invention relates to the storage of a liqueable normally gaseous hydrocarbon, such as propane.
  • Liqueable normally gaseous hydrocarbons particularly propane and/or butanes
  • liquefied petroleum gas are used in large quantities as fuels for domestic and industrial" purposes, being generally referred to under the term liquefied petroleum gas.
  • These materials are generally used in large quantities during the Winter months and in much smaller quantities during the summer months.
  • the supply of these materials is relatively constant throughout the year. As a result there is a great over-supply from about the middle of March until about September or October. By about the middle or last of December the demand has greatly exceeded the current supply and there is often a pronounced shortage.
  • Another object of this invention is to store normally gaseous hydrocarbons in large quantities as liquids.
  • Still another object of this invention is to store propane as a liquid in large quantities Without constructing numerous high-pressure tanks.
  • a suitable hill, or mountain side, I0 is located.
  • a water reservoir II is established. This may be either a natural orarticial reservoir.
  • a shaft I2 is sunk to a substantial depth, If it is desired to store propane as a liquid this shaft should be at least about 225 feet deep.
  • a horizontal tunnel I3 is driven into the earth to a point which meets or closely approaches the bottom of the shaft I2. At the point where the shaft and the tunnel approach or meet each other a large excavation is made, somewhat larger than the planned volume for the ilnal storage.
  • Such an excavation may be roughly cylindrical in shape with a diameter of approximately 300 feet and a height of about 10 to 20 feet.
  • the shaft I2 and the excavation I4 are suitably lined, as with a layer of concrete I5 and a relatively thin inner layer of corrosion-resistant steel I6.
  • neither of the linings I5 or I6, either jointly or individually, needs to be strong enough to Withstand the vapor pressure of liquid propane, since they are mutually supported by the surrounding earth which will be sumciently strong to with ⁇ stand the pressure.
  • the hill should be so chosen that it is not far removed either from a source of supply for the propane to be stored, such as a reiinery or a natural gasoline plant, or so that it will be not too far from a suitable distribution point. It will also be desirable to choose a hill which has a relatively soft layer or stratum of rock at the point where it is desired to establishA the storage zone. Such a soft rock can be easily and relatively cheaply excavated but will still have suiiicient structural strength to back up, and support, the relatively thin lining for the storage zone. Such a soft stratum may be chalk or soft sand stone.
  • the shaft I2 has a suiicient diameter that the interior 20, after the lining is in place, will be large enough to enable a man to pass through it.
  • the steel inner lining I6 has a hole in it at this point which is normally covered with a cover 23. This cover will serve as a partition between storage zone 2
  • This cover 23 extends a relativelylarge conduit 24 down to the bottom of storage zone 2
  • This conduit 24 ⁇ will be attached to the cover 23 by a flange 25 so that it may be readily removed, leaving .a man hole through which storage zone 2
  • a separate man hole may be employed for this purpose, with the conduit 24 being more permanently attached to the shell I 6, or to cover 23.
  • a conduit 26 extends from the top of the storage zone 2
  • the liquid propane is introduced and withdrawn through this conduit as desired. Flow through the conduit is controlled by valve 21.
  • the conduit is preferably also equipped with an excess-flow valve 28, to prevent uncontrolled discharge from the tank in the event any of the external connections are broken.
  • conduit 26 may be also equipped with an internal valve 30 which can be controlled from the bottom of the shaft 20, as by a control wheel 3
  • the propane conduit and the drainage conduit may be entirely separate conduits extending to the outside through the tunnel I3, in which case internal valves 30 and 32 maybe unnecessary.
  • the tunnel I3 be completely sealed, as by being plugged with concrete.
  • Such concrete plugs 35 and 36 may be rmly anchored to the surrounding earth, in any suitable manner, so that they furnish a suciently strong backing tothe lining I6 vof theA storage zone 2
  • , reservoir II, and the connecting conduit comprising shaft 20 and conduit pipe 24, may be filled with water.
  • Liquid propane can then be pumped in through conduit 26 in any desired amount up to that which will justfail to bring the water level down to the bottom of the conduit pipe 24.
  • water will be supplied to or withdrawn from reservoir I I through the connecting conduit. While it will be preferable in many instances for reservoir II to have a volume at least equal to the maximum volume of liquid propane to be stored in storage zone 2
  • should be so chosen that the temperature of the surrounding earth is not abnormally high, as it might be in the region of volcanic activity or near hot springs.
  • a diiference of elevation between the bottom of shaft 20 and the surface of the water in reservoir II should be at least about 225 feet when propane is stored as'a liquid, and with normal subterranean temperatures. If one or more of the butanes is being stored as a liquid, or is present in substantial proportions in the propane, the vapor pressure of the liquid will be correspondingly lower and the difference in elevation may be correspondingly less. While it is possible to store ethane as a liquid in such a storage zone, with the difference in elevation being at least about 1750 feet, this will generally be not practicable.
  • Means for storing as a liquid a normally gaseous hydrocarbon material liqueiiable under pressure at normal earth temperatures which comprises, in combination, a totally enclosed subterranean storage zone, a reservoir of water the surface of which is suillciently higher than said storage zone as to provide a hydrostatic head at least equal to the Vapor pressure of said ⁇ hydrocarbon material at the highest prevailing temperature of the earth surrounding.
  • said storage zone a vertical shaft connecting said reservoir and said storage zone, a partition at the bottom of said shaft, a conduitl extending through said partition to the bottom of said storage zone whereby water can freely ilow between said reservoir and said storage zone, a man hole in said partition which is normally closed, a conduit leading from the top of said storage zone for introduction and removal of liquid hydrocarbon material and a conduit extending into the bottom of said storage zone for emptying of said storage zone, a valve in each of the last said two conduits, and means connected with Veach said valve and operable from the bottom of said shaft for opening and closing said valves,
  • Means for storing as a liquid a normally gaseous hydrocarbon material liqueflable under pressure at normal earth temperatures which comprises, in combination, a totally enclosed subterranean storage zone, a reservoir of water the surface of which is suiliciently higher than said storage zone as to provide a hydrostatic head at least equal to the vapor pressure of said hydrocarbon material at the highest prevailing temperature of the earth surrounding said zone, a vertical shaft connecting said reservoir and said storage zone, a partition at the bottom of said shaft, a conduit extending through said partition to the bottom of said storage zone whereby water can freely flow between said reservoir and said storage zone, a man hole in said partition which is normally closed, a conduit leading from the top of said storage zone for introduction and removal of liquid hydrocarbon material and a conduit extending into the bottom of said storage zone for emptying of said storage zone.
  • Means for storing liquid propane which comprises, in combination, a. storage zone, a water reservoir directly above said storage zone at an elevation such that the water level is at least about 225 feet above the top of said storage zone, a vertical conduit directly joining said reservoir and the bottom of said storage zone and permitting free flow of water therebetween, and a horizontal conduit directly connecting with the top of said storage zone for induction and eduction of propane.
  • Means for storing liquid C3 hydrocarbons which comprises, in combination, a totally enclosed, subterranean storage zone, a reservoir of water the surface of which is at least about Y225 feet higher than the highest point of said storage zone, a conduit connecting said reservoir and the bottom of said storage zone so constructed as to permit free tlow of water therebetween, and conduit means connecting with the top of said storage zone for introduction and withdrawal of liquid Ca hydrocarbons.

Description

Jan. 18, 1949. A. N. KERR 2,459,227
UNDERGROUND RESERVOIR FOR THE STORAGE 0F LIQUEFIED GASES Filed Aug. 6, 1946 27 26 igwrg! l' f /fvvew ron. ANKERR By /Mq W ATTORNEYS .Patented Jan. 18, 1949 UNDERGROUND RESERVOIR FOR THE STORAGE OF LIQUEFIED GASES Arthur N. Kerr, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Application August 6, 1946, Serial No. 688,761
(Cl. (i2- 1) 4 Claims.
This invention relates to the storage of hydrocarbons. In one general modication this invention relates to the storage of hydrocarbons as liquids under a substantial`y superatmospheric pressure. In a preferred embodiment the invention relates to the storage of a liqueable normally gaseous hydrocarbon, such as propane.
Liqueable normally gaseous hydrocarbons, particularly propane and/or butanes, are used in large quantities as fuels for domestic and industrial" purposes, being generally referred to under the term liquefied petroleum gas. These materials are generally used in large quantities during the Winter months and in much smaller quantities during the summer months. However, the supply of these materials is relatively constant throughout the year. As a result there is a great over-supply from about the middle of March until about September or October. By about the middle or last of December the demand has greatly exceeded the current supply and there is often a pronounced shortage.
Although spherical tanks of substantial capacities are now available commercially in which butanes will be stored as liquids, it is often necessary to employ large numbers of such tanks, since the size of any one tank is limited to about 10.000 barrels. Because propane has a much higher vapor pressure at ordinary atmospheric temperatures, it is possible to store this material only in relatively small, heavy, and therefore, expensive, tanks. Large bulk storage of propane is therefore not possible economically.
It is an object of this invention to provide bulk storage of liquid hydrocarbons.
Another object of this invention is to store normally gaseous hydrocarbons in large quantities as liquids.
Still another object of this invention is to store propane as a liquid in large quantities Without constructing numerous high-pressure tanks.
Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent, to one skilled in the art, from the accompanying disclosure and discussion.
I have now found Athat it is possible to store -a liquid hydrocarbon material under a substantial superatmospheric pressure in a single large storage zone by excavating a large storage zone deep in the earth, lining this storage zone with a relatively thin lining which is impervious to the liquid hydrocarbon being stored, and which is also impervious to water, and maintaining a hydrostatic head of Water on the hydrocarbon be ing stored greater than the vapor pressure of 2 the hydrocarbon material at the temperature of the surrounding earth. My invention will be more particularly discussed and described in connection with the accompanying drawing, which is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view, not drawn to scale, of one modification of my invention.
Referring now to the drawing, a suitable hill, or mountain side, I0 is located. At an elevated portion of this hill a water reservoir II is established. This may be either a natural orarticial reservoir. From a low point at the bottom of this reservoir a shaft I2 is sunk to a substantial depth, If it is desired to store propane as a liquid this shaft should be at least about 225 feet deep. From the side of the hill at an elevation of about, or slightly more than, 225 feet lower than the elevation of A the reservoir II, a horizontal tunnel I3 is driven into the earth to a point which meets or closely approaches the bottom of the shaft I2. At the point where the shaft and the tunnel approach or meet each other a large excavation is made, somewhat larger than the planned volume for the ilnal storage. Such an excavation, for example, may be roughly cylindrical in shape with a diameter of approximately 300 feet and a height of about 10 to 20 feet. The shaft I2 and the excavation I4 are suitably lined, as with a layer of concrete I5 and a relatively thin inner layer of corrosion-resistant steel I6. As will be readily appreciated, neither of the linings I5 or I6, either jointly or individually, needs to be strong enough to Withstand the vapor pressure of liquid propane, since they are mutually supported by the surrounding earth which will be sumciently strong to with` stand the pressure.
As will be readily appreciated the hill should be so chosen that it is not far removed either from a source of supply for the propane to be stored, such as a reiinery or a natural gasoline plant, or so that it will be not too far from a suitable distribution point. It will also be desirable to choose a hill which has a relatively soft layer or stratum of rock at the point where it is desired to establishA the storage zone. Such a soft rock can be easily and relatively cheaply excavated but will still have suiiicient structural strength to back up, and support, the relatively thin lining for the storage zone. Such a soft stratum may be chalk or soft sand stone.
In a preferred modiiication of my invention the shaft I2 has a suiicient diameter that the interior 20, after the lining is in place, will be large enough to enable a man to pass through it. At the point Where the shaft enters the storage 3 zone 2| it may be enlarged somewhat to form a small room 22. The steel inner lining I6 has a hole in it at this point which is normally covered with a cover 23. This cover will serve as a partition between storage zone 2| and the interior of shaft 20. Since this point will be at least about 225 feet below the surface of the water in the reservoir I I when storing liquid propane, the shell I6 and the cover 23 need not be stronger that is sufiicient to withstand about to 10 pounds per square inch differential pressure. Through this cover 23 extends a relativelylarge conduit 24 down to the bottom of storage zone 2|. This conduit 24 `will be attached to the cover 23 by a flange 25 so that it may be readily removed, leaving .a man hole through which storage zone 2| may be entered for purposes of inspection and/or repair. As will be readily appreciated, a separate man hole may be employed for this purpose, with the conduit 24 being more permanently attached to the shell I 6, or to cover 23. n
A conduit 26 extends from the top of the storage zone 2| out through tunnel I3. The liquid propane is introduced and withdrawn through this conduit as desired. Flow through the conduit is controlled by valve 21. The conduit is preferably also equipped with an excess-flow valve 28, to prevent uncontrolled discharge from the tank in the event any of the external connections are broken. If desired, conduit 26 may be also equipped with an internal valve 30 which can be controlled from the bottom of the shaft 20, as by a control wheel 3|. It is generally desirable also to have a conduit extending to the bottom of storage zone 2| so that the entire storage zone may be drained of liquid material. 'I'his latter conduit may comprise a valved extension 32 from conduit 26, controlled also from the bottom of y shaft 20 by control Wheel 33. As will be readily appreciated, the propane conduit and the drainage conduit may be entirely separate conduits extending to the outside through the tunnel I3, in which case internal valves 30 and 32 maybe unnecessary.
It is preferred that after the construction and lining of storage zone 2I- has` been completed, and the desired conduits installed, the tunnel I3 be completely sealed, as by being plugged with concrete. Such concrete plugs 35 and 36 may be rmly anchored to the surrounding earth, in any suitable manner, so that they furnish a suciently strong backing tothe lining I6 vof theA storage zone 2|.
When the entire installation is complete, storage zone 2|, reservoir II, and the connecting conduit comprising shaft 20 and conduit pipe 24, may be filled with water. Liquid propane can then be pumped in through conduit 26 in any desired amount up to that which will justfail to bring the water level down to the bottom of the conduit pipe 24. As the amount of liquid propane in storage varies, water will be supplied to or withdrawn from reservoir I I through the connecting conduit. While it will be preferable in many instances for reservoir II to have a volume at least equal to the maximum volume of liquid propane to be stored in storage zone 2|, this is not absolutely necessary if there is available a sufficient water supply to keep the reservoir water level at the necessary height when large quantities of propane are withdrawn and if there is suitable overflow to remove excessive water whenlarge quantities of propane are stored. It may be desirable to provide a suitable screen, or electrical barrier, to keep fish from going into 4 shaft 20 and the bottom of storage zone 2|, as they may be killed by the small amount of hydrocarbons dissolved in the water, and also to prevent solid matter from accumulating on the bottom of the storage zone.
If at any time it becomes necessary to inspect the interior of storage zone 2 I, or to repair it, all the propane is withdrawn and then all the water is withdrawn. In such a case it is not always necessary to empty reservoir II, as a cofl'er dam may be built around the upper portion of shaft 20, or a suitable extension may be attached which rises above the surface of the water. It is, of course, necessary that shaft 20 and storage zone 2| be emptied of water. In the modification shown final removal of water, after shaft 20 has been emptied, may be readily effected by closing valve SII-and opening valve 32. i
As will be readily appreciated the location of storage zone 2| should be so chosen that the temperature of the surrounding earth is not abnormally high, as it might be in the region of volcanic activity or near hot springs. A diiference of elevation between the bottom of shaft 20 and the surface of the water in reservoir II should be at least about 225 feet when propane is stored as'a liquid, and with normal subterranean temperatures. If one or more of the butanes is being stored as a liquid, or is present in substantial proportions in the propane, the vapor pressure of the liquid will be correspondingly lower and the difference in elevation may be correspondingly less. While it is possible to store ethane as a liquid in such a storage zone, with the difference in elevation being at least about 1750 feet, this will generally be not practicable. However, it will often be desired to store a liquid hydrocarbon material containing a substantial quantity of ethane, in which instance the diIerence in elevation will need to be proportionally greater. In any event, it is necessary that the difference in elevation be suiciently great to provide a hydrostatic head at least equivalent to the vapor pressure of the hydrocarbon material being stored at the highest prevailing temperature of .the earth surrounding storage zone 2|. As will be appreciated propylene, or butylenes, may also be contained in the hydrocarbon material being stored. I
Various modifications of my invention may be practiced by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit, or scope, of the accompanying disclosure and without departing from the scope of the claims.
l. Means for storing as a liquid a normally gaseous hydrocarbon material liqueiiable under pressure at normal earth temperatures which comprises, in combination, a totally enclosed subterranean storage zone, a reservoir of water the surface of which is suillciently higher than said storage zone as to provide a hydrostatic head at least equal to the Vapor pressure of said` hydrocarbon material at the highest prevailing temperature of the earth surrounding. said storage zone, a vertical shaft connecting said reservoir and said storage zone, a partition at the bottom of said shaft, a conduitl extending through said partition to the bottom of said storage zone whereby water can freely ilow between said reservoir and said storage zone, a man hole in said partition which is normally closed, a conduit leading from the top of said storage zone for introduction and removal of liquid hydrocarbon material and a conduit extending into the bottom of said storage zone for emptying of said storage zone, a valve in each of the last said two conduits, and means connected with Veach said valve and operable from the bottom of said shaft for opening and closing said valves,
2. Means for storing as a liquid a normally gaseous hydrocarbon material liqueflable under pressure at normal earth temperatures which comprises, in combination, a totally enclosed subterranean storage zone, a reservoir of water the surface of which is suiliciently higher than said storage zone as to provide a hydrostatic head at least equal to the vapor pressure of said hydrocarbon material at the highest prevailing temperature of the earth surrounding said zone, a vertical shaft connecting said reservoir and said storage zone, a partition at the bottom of said shaft, a conduit extending through said partition to the bottom of said storage zone whereby water can freely flow between said reservoir and said storage zone, a man hole in said partition which is normally closed, a conduit leading from the top of said storage zone for introduction and removal of liquid hydrocarbon material and a conduit extending into the bottom of said storage zone for emptying of said storage zone.
3. Means for storing liquid propane which comprises, in combination, a. storage zone, a water reservoir directly above said storage zone at an elevation such that the water level is at least about 225 feet above the top of said storage zone, a vertical conduit directly joining said reservoir and the bottom of said storage zone and permitting free flow of water therebetween, and a horizontal conduit directly connecting with the top of said storage zone for induction and eduction of propane.
4. Means for storing liquid C3 hydrocarbons Which comprises, in combination, a totally enclosed, subterranean storage zone, a reservoir of water the surface of which is at least about Y225 feet higher than the highest point of said storage zone, a conduit connecting said reservoir and the bottom of said storage zone so constructed as to permit free tlow of water therebetween, and conduit means connecting with the top of said storage zone for introduction and withdrawal of liquid Ca hydrocarbons. i
ARTHUR N. KERR.
REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:
UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,006,912 Cook Oct. 24, 1911 1,008,830 Lamb et al. Nov. 14, 1911
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Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2659209A (en) * 1951-03-23 1953-11-17 Warren Petroleum Corp Underground liquid storage facility and the method of selecting and preparing the same
US2661062A (en) * 1949-06-28 1953-12-01 Edholm Harald Container for storing oil and like fluids
US2780070A (en) * 1953-04-27 1957-02-05 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage system
US2787125A (en) * 1952-11-13 1957-04-02 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage system
US2796739A (en) * 1953-05-22 1957-06-25 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage system
US2803114A (en) * 1952-07-18 1957-08-20 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage system
US2810263A (en) * 1951-08-10 1957-10-22 Ford Bacon & Davies Inc Cavern storage for natural gas
US2855757A (en) * 1955-05-23 1958-10-14 Phillips Petroleum Co Seal for underground passage, and storage system embodying same
US2878165A (en) * 1953-11-16 1959-03-17 Phillips Petroleum Co Ammonia storage and recovery system
US2880593A (en) * 1956-02-08 1959-04-07 Exxon Research Engineering Co Method and equipment for handling volatile liquid hydrocarbons
US2893211A (en) * 1955-05-16 1959-07-07 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage system
US2896417A (en) * 1955-11-21 1959-07-28 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage
US2928248A (en) * 1953-05-11 1960-03-15 Phillips Petroleum Co Piping for underground storage systems
US2934904A (en) * 1955-09-01 1960-05-03 Phillips Petroleum Co Dual storage caverns
US2971344A (en) * 1958-01-31 1961-02-14 Phillips Petroleum Co Method of sealing off flow from underground storage cavern and apparatus
US2981070A (en) * 1955-08-31 1961-04-25 Sohio Petroleum Company Seal structure for underground liquid storage facility
US2983103A (en) * 1957-01-17 1961-05-09 Texaco Development Corp Underground storage of fluids in clay beds
US3018633A (en) * 1960-03-21 1962-01-30 Du Pont Method for charging fluorocarbon gases
US3089309A (en) * 1960-03-25 1963-05-14 Sun Oil Co Subterranean storage of fluids
US3106824A (en) * 1960-01-11 1963-10-15 James N Gregory Method of underground fluid storage
US3143861A (en) * 1960-07-12 1964-08-11 Geopetrole Soc Geotechnique Po System for piping fluids across a body of water
US4167087A (en) * 1976-07-30 1979-09-11 Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft Nuclear reactor installation in underground construction
US4343569A (en) * 1979-12-14 1982-08-10 Bbc Brown Boveri & Co. Ltd., Apparatus for preventing blowing out of the water supply of constant pressure air storage installations of gas turbine power plants
US4906132A (en) * 1987-11-30 1990-03-06 Deilmann-Haniel Gmbh High-load underground dam
US6517286B1 (en) 2001-02-06 2003-02-11 Spectrum Energy Services, Llc Method for handling liquified natural gas (LNG)

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US1008830A (en) * 1910-02-17 1911-11-14 John R Lamb Water-delivering apparatus.

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US1008830A (en) * 1910-02-17 1911-11-14 John R Lamb Water-delivering apparatus.
US1006912A (en) * 1911-01-28 1911-10-24 William S Cook Compressed-air system.

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2661062A (en) * 1949-06-28 1953-12-01 Edholm Harald Container for storing oil and like fluids
US2659209A (en) * 1951-03-23 1953-11-17 Warren Petroleum Corp Underground liquid storage facility and the method of selecting and preparing the same
US2810263A (en) * 1951-08-10 1957-10-22 Ford Bacon & Davies Inc Cavern storage for natural gas
US2803114A (en) * 1952-07-18 1957-08-20 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage system
US2787125A (en) * 1952-11-13 1957-04-02 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage system
US2780070A (en) * 1953-04-27 1957-02-05 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage system
US2928248A (en) * 1953-05-11 1960-03-15 Phillips Petroleum Co Piping for underground storage systems
US2796739A (en) * 1953-05-22 1957-06-25 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage system
US2878165A (en) * 1953-11-16 1959-03-17 Phillips Petroleum Co Ammonia storage and recovery system
US2893211A (en) * 1955-05-16 1959-07-07 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage system
US2855757A (en) * 1955-05-23 1958-10-14 Phillips Petroleum Co Seal for underground passage, and storage system embodying same
US2981070A (en) * 1955-08-31 1961-04-25 Sohio Petroleum Company Seal structure for underground liquid storage facility
US2934904A (en) * 1955-09-01 1960-05-03 Phillips Petroleum Co Dual storage caverns
US2896417A (en) * 1955-11-21 1959-07-28 Phillips Petroleum Co Underground storage
US2880593A (en) * 1956-02-08 1959-04-07 Exxon Research Engineering Co Method and equipment for handling volatile liquid hydrocarbons
US2983103A (en) * 1957-01-17 1961-05-09 Texaco Development Corp Underground storage of fluids in clay beds
US2971344A (en) * 1958-01-31 1961-02-14 Phillips Petroleum Co Method of sealing off flow from underground storage cavern and apparatus
US3106824A (en) * 1960-01-11 1963-10-15 James N Gregory Method of underground fluid storage
US3018633A (en) * 1960-03-21 1962-01-30 Du Pont Method for charging fluorocarbon gases
US3089309A (en) * 1960-03-25 1963-05-14 Sun Oil Co Subterranean storage of fluids
US3143861A (en) * 1960-07-12 1964-08-11 Geopetrole Soc Geotechnique Po System for piping fluids across a body of water
US4167087A (en) * 1976-07-30 1979-09-11 Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft Nuclear reactor installation in underground construction
US4343569A (en) * 1979-12-14 1982-08-10 Bbc Brown Boveri & Co. Ltd., Apparatus for preventing blowing out of the water supply of constant pressure air storage installations of gas turbine power plants
US4906132A (en) * 1987-11-30 1990-03-06 Deilmann-Haniel Gmbh High-load underground dam
US6517286B1 (en) 2001-02-06 2003-02-11 Spectrum Energy Services, Llc Method for handling liquified natural gas (LNG)

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